Indonesian Language Entering School Extra-Curricular Education in Ottawa Canada
Indonesian is included in the school's extra-curricular education in Ottawa. © 2020 Merdeka.com
Indonesian is included in the extra-curricular education program in some kindergartens (TK) to high schools in the City of Ottawa, Canada. This was conveyed by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Ottawa in a statement received in Jakarta , Sunday (18/10). As reported by Antara.
The Indonesian language class aims to increase interaction between citizens from two countries and strengthen relations between Indonesia and Canada, which this year commemorates 68 years of diplomatic relations.
"The introduction of Indonesian for Canadians will be a solid foundation in the future for the two nations to understand and work together," said Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Abdul Kadir Jailani, when launching a virtual Indonesian class, Saturday (17/10) ).
On the same occasion, the administrator of the Ottawa Carleton School Board Program, Dr. Nectaria Karagiozis, said that the Indonesian language class enriches international language extra-curricular programs that students can choose from, from kindergarten to high school levels.
So far, the School Board in Ottawa has opened 38 international language classes in addition to the official Canadian languages, namely English and French.
According to the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, the support from the School Board allows Indonesian Language classes to be opened virtually and accessible to students free of charge.
In addition to the School Board, the initiative has also received support from the Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA). OMA Community Participation Director Majed Jarrar welcomed the opening of Indonesian language classes in Ottawa. He said that the move was in line with OMA's mission, which is to contribute to the interests of society.
Not only opening Indonesian language classes, the 68th anniversary of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Canada will also be enlivened by an exhibition of ancient Numismatic Nusantara money in early October 2020.
The activity was held by the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa in collaboration with the Coin and Banknote Alliance in Canada, said the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa Information and Socio-Cultural Counselor, Iwan Nur Hidayat, on a separate occasion.
So far, there are around 14,000 Indonesians in Canada, or about 0.04 percent of the total population of 37.6 million.
Indonesia and Canada opened official diplomatic relations on October 9, 1952, which was marked by the establishment of representative offices in their respective capitals.
Wisnoe Moerti, Journalist